*Note: This event took place before the Don't Give Up On Me timeline; a few years back. In other words, Rico's not here. You'll just be getting a glimpse of clues to the future, aka possible spoilers. If you can get them, that is. ;)

*Unintentionally long. That's why it's a story.

*There may be a case of 'OOC' here.

A Smile Is All I Need

"Layla?" Kowalski jogged down the steps once he got the text from said girl to go down. "This so called emergency of yours better not be another ploy to get me out of my room again."

"Kowalski." He looked up at Ma just as he reached the bottom. The woman smiled at him and waved him over to the living room. "Over here." He nodded and joined her in the living room, looking over at Johnson seated on one couch. "So now we have Kowalski to join us. Come sit, child." She ushered the boy to a chair. "We're just waiting for Layla, Manfredi and Skipper to finish loading those presents."

"Uh, Ma," Kowalski frowned and turned to the lady, "what are we doing exactly?"

Ma crossed her arms and frowned. "Kowalski." The boy froze on his seat at the reprimanding tone, ignoring the snickers coming from Johnson. "Do you know what today is?"

"Uh..." The boy pulled at his collar and his eyes darted about nervously. "Friday?" The snickers turned into laughter and Kowalski turned red with embarrassment as Ma sighed and shook her head.

"If you weren't so cooped up trying to make what ever it is you have started, you would know what today is." The boy stared blankly at her before dropping his gaze as Johnson continued to laugh.

"How can you NOT know what today is?!" A voice called out directly from behind a plain looking pine tree, making everyone shout in fright as they stared at the plant like it would suddenly uproot itself from the pot and go after them on branch-like feet. "Oh cheesesticks. I ruined it."

Johnson chuckled nervously, playing with his scarf. "Don't worry, guys. It's just Layla." After the collective sighs and the attempts to calm their racing hearts, everyone turned to the pine tree.

"Layla!"

"Uh," the girl's head popped out, looking over them. She walked out with a sheepish smile. "Surprise?"

Kowalski crossed his arms and glared at her. "Halloween's over, Layla. Enough with the scares already." The girl merely clasped her hands behind her back and nodded, clamping her teeth on the insides of her lips. "It's not funny."

"No. Not funny. Not, funny, AT ALL." She nodded with her words, biting down hard on her lip.

"Layla," Ma called out sternly with her hand never leaving her heart since after the 'talking tree' incident, "you almost gave me a heart attack. I thought you were out with Skipper and Manfredi, taking care of the presents." The grin left her face and she bowed her head.

"Sorry, Ma."

"How did you even get in here?"

"Ninja skills!" She burst into giggles.

"Why did I even ask?" Ma murmured to herself and shook her head at the girl. "Just, don't do it again."

Layla looked up quickly, a glint in her eyes. "Okay." Before Ma could ask about the look, snow laden boots ran into the living and Skipper and Manfredi looked around cautiously.

"We heard screams. What happened?" Skipper asked.

Layla giggled behind her gloves, earning her a raised brow from the boy.

"Really?" He crossed his arms and shook his head at her, even though a smile played at his lips, along with Manfredi. "You shouldn't be scaring people like that. It's Christmas, doll."

"In two days." The girl's eyes sparkled behind her glasses and she threw her arms in the air. "Merry Christmas, guys!" She cried delightfully and clapped her hands happily before clasping them and turning to Johnson. "Happy Hanukkah to you, Johnson."

He bowed graciously, even tilting an imaginary hat at her. "Thank you, darling." She giggled and did a little curtsy. The boy grinned and held out an arm before gesturing out. "Shall we?"

"Ma and I have cookies baking in the oven. We'll wait for those before we set off."

"Ooh. Cookies." Manfredi rubbed his hands gleefully and started for the kitchen, but Skipper was standing by the doorway, smirking at him.

"Those cookies aren't for you, Manfredi."

"Aw." He turned to face Layla, who had followed him. "Can't I have just one?"

"No."

Manfredi pouted. "But I'm a hungry child. Please? Just one?"

The girl frowned and placed her hands on her hips. "Continue on, Manfredi, and I won't give you a single cookie later." She crossed her arms as the boy copied her earlier frown. "Those cookies are for the hospital."

"Oh." The boy blinked and then nodded. "Of course. Sorry."

"Don't worry. I found a recipe for pretzels online. Ma's going to make them for dinner later."

The boy fist pumped as Johnson rolled his eyes. "Yes! Pretzels for dinner."

"Shall we head off now?" Johnson asked the group as Kowalski and Ma joined them.

The woman nodded and kissed each of their heads with a smile. "Be careful, sweethearts."

"Yes, Ma!" The five chorused before going out the door.

"Don't forget the curfew!"

"Yes, Ma!" Layla called back, looking down at the piece of metal wrapped outside of her gloves. "We'll be back on time, swear! I'll drag them all back on their tushes! Oh." She stopped short and turned around. "I FORGOT THE COOKIES!"

"They're so adorable." Layla cooed softly as she looked through the small window of the doors. A bunch of children dressed in the usual hospital garb. Some were gathered near the middle where a couple of nurses were standing. Some were at their beds with a relative or two, but all of them had no hair on top of their heads.

"Ready?" Kowalski asked the girl with a grin on his face after he had talked to the nurse beside him. He had on a green hat with elf ears, with Johnson and Manfredi wearing the same thing. Layla, wearing a headband with antlers on it, nodded and pushed open the door.

"Merry Christmas, guys!" She twirled into the middle with a huge grin and threw her hands into the air. "How's it going, people of the world?" A gasp came from some of the kids, before everyone rushed to the girl.

"Layla!"

"Halo, little elf people." Some of the kids giggled before one of them raised a hand. "Jacie?"

"Where's Skipper?"

"Oh right. Wait." She backed up a bit before gesturing to the double doors. "I welcome," Manfredi pulled open one door while Johnson pulled open the other, "St Nicholas! Aka, Santa Claus!"

"Santa!"

"Oh oh." A murmur came from the boy with the Santa hat and false beard before he was overwhelmed by the crowd of squealing children. Layla stood off to the side giggling while her friends stared at the mass in amusement and slight horror.

"Guess who's a crowd favorite?" Johnson jokingly called out, earning a glare from 'Santa'.

"Alright, children!" Layla called to the group as Skipper struggled to get into the room. "Santa's got a present for each and every one of you."

The children cheered and clapped happily.

"Only," Kowalski added as he reached into the bag in his hand and pulled out a small pouch full of assorted goods, "if you be good little kids and form a line."

"We also have freshly baked cookies!"

It wasn't long before the children were settled down and listening attentively to Johnson as the boy told them a story about dragons and pirate ships, with Manfredi acting out some parts.

Layla plopped down beside Skipper and looked down at his spread out form on one of the beds. "Howya doing, Santa?"

"I'm exhausted."

"Still up for a visit?" The boy quickly sat up and looked at her hopefully.

"Is it time?" She didn't answer, but looked over at Kowalski, who was sitting across from them. Kowalski grinned at them and got to his feet.

"Come on. While they're still distracted." Discreetly, they crept to the door, mindful of the nurses who were busy talking with the other adults as they listened in to the interactive storytelling.